Stockman blasts Post 41 past Easton
Ryan Stockman gave his family a few souvenirs Thursday night at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds.
The outfielder crushed two home runs in Tonganoxie Post 41’s 11-1 victory against the Easton Lions in the Byron H. Mehl Post 23 League Tournament.
Tonganoxie fans rushed behind the fence after the home runs to save the baseballs for Stockman — two souvenirs the family can share. Plus, it was his sister’s birthday.
“Happy birthday, Ashley,” Stockman said after the game with a smile. “I didn’t see this coming. I just wanted to go out there and play baseball like I know how to play. I just wanted to put it in play and make things happen.”
Post 41 will continue play in the double elimination tournament with two games Friday, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Padilla Field in Leavenworth. Tonganoxie’s record in the tournament is now 2-1.
Stockman’s first home run was a towering shot over the left field fence. In fact, it went so far that the ball cleared a second fence, located roughly 15 to 20 feet behind the actual one.
“I sat back and watched that one a little bit and I know I shouldn’t do that,” Stockman said. “
Stockman gave Tonganoxie a 5-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. He smashed another home run in his next at-bat, which gave Post 41 an 11-0 lead. Stockman finished the evening 2-for-3 with two home runs and six RBI.
“I was absolutely not looking to hit one again,” Stockman said of his second home run. “I just wanted to hit the ball. If I swing for the fence, I’m going to strike out. I just need to put it in play and let things happen from there.”
Rob Schlicht pitched a complete game — which was shortened to five innings because of the run rule — for Tonganoxie. He gave up six hits and one earned run. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out four.
“Rob kept them guessing at what he was going to throw,” Tonganoxie coach Pat Bailey said. “He’s matured a lot. His fast ball has gotten a little faster and his curve’s gotten a little more wicked. I told him before he went out tonight: ‘Rob, keep it mixed up and you’re going to do well.'”
Post 41 capitalized on four Easton errors. Tonganoxie only committed one.
Tonganoxie also had four players — Stockman, Grant Ebbert, Chris Newton and Jon Harris — finish the night 2-for-3 at the plate.
Bailey’s team was also extremely aggressive on the basepaths, a recurring theme in games Post 41 wins. In Tonganoxie’s first-round victory, it stole six. Post 41 stole five bases Thursday night — three from Derek Erwin and two from Harris.
Post 41 scoring summary:
Top 1: Jake Heskett reached first on error, Grant Ebbert scored (1-0)
Top 3: Derek Erwin scored from first base on two throwing errors (2-0)
Top 4: Ryan Stockman HR, 3 RBI (5-0)
Top 5: Derek Erwin scored on passed ball (6-0)
Chris Newton single, 2 RBI (8-0)
Ryan Stockman HR, 3 RBI (11-0)
Tonganoxie 101 36 — 11 10 1
Easton Lions 000 01 — 1 6 4